by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Dan Dube (that’s right, him again) shamelessly hogged Yonkers Raceway’s Saturday night (Feb. 28) glory with Michael’s Power ($6.80) and eight hole assigned Not Afraid ($3).

Mike Lizzi photo

Michael’s Power was a 1:53.4 winner in the Open Pace.

It was Michael’s Power winning the $35,000 Open Pace in 1:53.4. Making the first lead from post position No 4, he gave it up to 13-10 favorite Dapper Dude (Brian Sears). That one led through intervals of :28.4, :57.3 and 1:26.1.

In a rare event where all eight starters were off three weeks (weather), Dapper Dude owned and a 1-1/2 length lead into the lane. However, company was coming to his immediate inside. Ducking to the passing lane was Michael’s Power, who went by a stubborn leader late. The final margin was a head, with third going to a cone-skimming Sapphire City (Eric Carlson). Mach’s Beach Boy (Pat Lachance) and McErlean (Tyler Buter) settled for the remainder.

For second choice Michael’s Power, a homebred 6-year-old Cambest gelding owned/bred by Jeff Snyder and trained by Mark Silva, it was his third win in five seasonal starts. The exacta paid $16.60, with the triple returning $75.

The weekly marquee trot, handicapped in all eight starting venues and with a similar $35,000 pot, saw a predictable result. Apparently, they can’t widen the starting gate to create enough of an impost for Not Afraid.

Settling in an early sixth, the 1-2 choice saw Awesome Valley (George Brennan) take his shot (:28.2, :58.4) before Not Afraid took up the chase. The two were engaged in and out of a 1:27.2 three-quarters. Not Afraid eventually dismissed his rival off the final turn, then widened to win by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:56.

Super Manning (Matt Kakaley) and Backstreet Hanover (Buter) showed up late to grab second and third, respectively, with Awesome Valley and Murmur Hanover (Lachance) grabbing the final pay envelopes.

For Not Afraid, a 6-year-old SJ’s Caviar gelding trained by Jimmy Takter for co-owners his wife, Christina, John Fielding and Goran Anderberg, it was his third consecutive win and fifth in seven ’15 tries. The exacta paid $13.80, with the triple returning $38.60.